U.S. President Joe Biden said Friday he expects Saudi Arabia to take action to ensure the availability of adequate oil supplies following talks with the kingdom's leader, while stressing he did not sidestep addressing the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Biden's visit to the Middle East nation is taking place at a time when the major crude oil producer holds great sway as the United States struggles with high gasoline prices amid Russia's war in Ukraine. The trip has also sparked controversy as critics warn the United States against compromising its position on Saudi Arabia's human rights record.
Following talks with the de facto Saudi Arabian ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and other officials, Biden told reporters he had "a good discussion on ensuring global energy security and adequate oil supplies to support global economic growth."
"I'm doing all I can to increase the supply for the United States of America, which I expect to happen. The Saudis share that urgency, and, based on our discussions today, I expect we'll see further steps in the coming weeks," he added.
According to a communique released after the talks, the United States and Saudi Arabia underscored the importance of their economic cooperation in light of the Ukraine crisis and "reaffirmed their commitment to a stable global energy market."
"The U.S. welcomed Saudi Arabia's commitment to support global oil markets balancing for sustained economic growth," it said.
Tackling inflation at home has become a top priority for the Biden administration, with the Democratic president facing sagging polls ahead of the November midterm elections.
Much of the attention, however, went to how Biden will address the killing of Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post and U.S. resident who had long been critical of Saudi Arabia's royal family, in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
As he arrived in Jeddah, Biden was seen fist-bumping the crown prince, also known as MBS, a move that immediately drew criticism from Hatice Cengiz, the late Khashoggi's fiancee.
Writing what she felt the slain journalist would have told Biden upon seeing his interaction with the crown prince, she said, "Is this the accountability you promised for my murder? The blood of MBS's next victim is on your hands."
In an apparent effort to head off criticism that he has softened his response to the Khashoggi murder, the U.S. president told reporters that he raised the issue at the "top of the meeting."
"I said very straightforwardly: For an American president to be silent on an issue of human rights, this is...inconsistent with who we are and who I am," he explained. "I'll always stand up for our values."
During his presidential election campaign, Biden pledged to make Saudi Arabia a "pariah" over the Khashoggi incident.
A report by the U.S. intelligence community declassified in 2021 concluded the crown prince approved an operation that resulted in the murder of the journalist.
The crown prince told Biden he was "not personally responsible" for the death and that he took action against those who were, according to the U.S. president.
Biden is making his first trip to the Middle East since taking office in January last year.
